Posted by: Kim_Hamilton on 10/27/2008 08:49 PM
Updated by: Kim_Hamilton on 10/27/2008 08:52 PM
Expires: 01/01/2013 12:00 AM
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New Melones Lake Fishing Report for Week of October 27th, 2008~By Glory Hole Sports
Water Conditions: New Melones Lake is currently holding 1,103,805 acre-feet of water. Water level went up slightly this week, and is at 956 ft. above sea level and 132 ft. from full capacity. The last time the water level was this low was four years ago, in 2004. Water in the main lake is approximately 65-68 degrees. Water is slightly stained to clear in the main lake (8-12 ft. visibility), with a slight mud line forming at shore. ....
Fees are now being charged at New Melones lake: You can pay at the entrance stations if a ranger is there- at this time booths are not manned at all times. If there is no ranger at the booth, you need to go to the Glory Hole boat ramp (upper parking lot- look for the yellow posts) and put money in the Iron Ranger, and put your receipt in your vehicle window in plain view. Fees are $6 for day use, or $8 for day use and boat launch. Annual passes are available at the Visitors Center, or at the entrance booths when they are staffed. Prices are $40 for an annual day-use pass, and $60 for a day use with boat launch pass (two names on one pass, and you can move your pass from vehicle to vehicle). Discounted annual passes are available for seniors and disabled. Call the New Melones Visitors Center for further details (209) 536-9094. Money from the entrance fees will be used at New Melones Lake for improvements, so we can look forward to having a lot of new amenities in the future.
Ramp conditions: Angels Boat Ramp is currently out of the water and unusable. At the Tuttletown Boat Ramp, we are currently using the lower Tuttletown Ramp. At Glory Hole Boat Ramp, we are currently using the medium ramp.
Trout: Bank fishing is over at the lake. It usually picks back up when water temperatures drop in November. Best bank-fishing luck can be found in local rivers and creeks such as Angels Creek or Murphys Creek, or in higher elevation lakes. Trolling was very slow this week. Use ball-troll flashers on your downrigger. Fish 40-60 feet deep, following the river channel in the main lake, or head upriver between the two bridges. Rolling shad is a good way to target big brown trout. Night fishing under a submersible light is legal on New Melones Lake, and is a great way to target bigger rainbows. Use a crawler/Power Bait combo, or minnows.
Kokanee: Done for the season, although you may see some up in the creek arms, attempting to spawn. Occasionally, trollers will pick up some of next year’s fish. These kokanee are small (10-12”), but still good eating. If you want to try for kokanee, fish deep- 60-80 feet, in the main lake. Steve Lawrence and Vicky McElroy caught a few kokanee this week, while trolling Apex at 65 feet deep in the main lake.
Bass: Bass Federation held their 2-day Tournament of Champions on Melones last week. Fishing was really tough for the 81 participating anglers, and most fish were very small- typical for Melones at this time of year. Fish were caught anywhere from 5-60 feet deep, and a variety of lures were successful. Ryan Krost took 1st place, with a two-day weight of 29.04-pounds. He threw swimbaits off shallow points in the main lake- where most anglers found the fish. Ryan Vorhees came in 2nd with 18.67-pounds, and Randy Pierson came in 3rd, with 15.9-pounds. Drop-shotting crawdad or shad colored worms seemed to produce the most fish. Rattletraps and crankbaits, spoons and jigs were also mentioned. It seems like the anglers threw everything but the kitchen sink at the fish this weekend! Many anglers reported some top-water action in the very early a.m. The bite is soft, so pay attention to your line. Please gently release any bass that you catch. Remember- the Department of Fish and Game does not plant bass, so it is up to us to maintain our bass fishery.
Catfish: Your best bet for action right now. Use anchovies, mackerel, sardines, chicken liver, or a ball of nightcrawlers. Leave your bail open so the cats can pick the bait up and swim with it- you will be more likely to hook them that way. Be sure to use a sliding sinker weight. McCoy’s McStoppers are great for keeping the sinker off the bait without messing around with a swivel, or splitshot that can damage your line. Fish in shallow waters in any cove area such as Angels Cove. Glory Hole Sports Big Catfish of the Week Contest was won this week by Steve Lawrence of Rio Linda, who caught a 15-pound, 10-ounce cat on shad while fishing at night under a light in Angels Creek. His fishing partner Vicky McElroy landed an 8—pound, 5-ounce catfish. Diane Kiyota of Sacramento caught a 5-pound, 3-ounce cat on a sardine while bank fishing upriver.
Crappie and bluegill: slowing down. Night fishing under a light is best, although anglers are catching crappie during the day, too. Crappie can be found hanging out in submerged trees, about 20’-30’ feet deep. Bear Creek, Mormon Creek and Carson Creek are all good bets. For crappie, try fishing live small or medium minnows, or crappie jigs with jigs in red/white, black/chartreuse or purple/white. Remember- 25 is the limit for crappie. Use a small piece of crawler or a cricket under a large bobber fished tight to structure in the backs of coves to target bluegill.
Melanie
Glory Hole Sports
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(209) 736-4333
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